Suspect apprehended in Peoria gas station robbery

Thursday

Apr 3, 2014 at 3:57 PMApr 3, 2014 at 8:01 PM

PEORIA — An East Bluff man was ordered held Thursday on $300,000 bond for allegedly holding up a gas station earlier this week.

Ryan A. Lakin, 29, 319 E. Elmhurst Ave., appeared in Peoria County Circuit Court on one count of armed robbery in connection with the Wednesday morning robbery at the Marathon gas station, 3712 N. University St.

The bond amount is more than what prosecutors had sought for Lakin, who is married and has three children. Lakin sought a lesser bond and even offered to put up his house as collateral but Judge John Vespa nixed any attempt at a lower bond.

Assistant State’s Attorney Steve Pattelli told the judge that Lakin made off with between $200 and $300 after entering the gas station about 2 a.m. A CrimeStoppers tip using surveillance video led police to him. During questioning, Lakin allegedly admitted to the robbery, using an unloaded handgun. The weapon was later recovered, Pattelli said in open court.

A clerk told police he approached the store on foot with a hood pulled over his head, displayed the handgun and demanded all the cash from the register, including any large bills. He then fled the store on foot.

The man shown in the surveillance footage released by police did not cover his face and had tattoos on the backs of his hands.

He will next appear in court May 1 for a preliminary hearing. If convicted, he faces six to 30 years behind bars.